Tar & Roses
Tar & Roses is a highly rated, popular Santa Monica spot known for refined California-American cooking and a strong sit-down dinner experience. It’s a great choice if you want a polished meal with seasonal, shareable plates.
Tar & Roses is a modern American restaurant in downtown Santa Monica known for a menu built around wood-fired cooking, seasonal ingredients, and shareable plates. It has a polished but relaxed feel, making it a good choice for a leisurely dinner, a date night, or a meal with friends before or after exploring the area near Santa Monica Boulevard.
History
Tar & Roses opened in Santa Monica as a chef-driven restaurant associated with a wood-fire and seasonal-California approach to cooking. It became known locally for its inventive small plates and for helping define the restaurant’s reputation as a destination for contemporary American dining in the city.
Expert notes
- Expect a contemporary dining room rather than a casual café setting.
- Reservations are a good idea, especially for prime dinner hours.
- Menu offerings can change with the season, so don’t go in expecting a fixed signature lineup.
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